This year’s BRITS nominations were announced today. Adele, James Bay and Years & Years feature prominently

The shortlists have been announced today for the 2016 BRIT Awards, which take place at the 02 Arena in London on 24 February

The nominations for the 2016 BRIT Awards were announced today. Looking almost guaranteed glory at the 02 Arena ceremony on 24 February are Adele, Years & Years and James Bay, who have no fewer than four nominations each, while Calvin Harris and Jess Glynne surely won’t be grumbling at their three nominations apiece either.

Adele is up for the Best British Single, Best British Album, Best British Female Solo Artist and Best British Video awards. Bay is in with a chance in the Best British Male Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, Best British Single and Best British Album categories, while Years & Years stand to make their mark with British Breakthrough Act, Best British Single, Best British Video and Best British Group nominations.

The full list of categories and nominations is as follows:

British album of the year
Adele – 25
Coldplay – A Head Full Of Dreams
Florence & The Machine – How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful
James Bay – Chaos And The Calm
Jamie xx – In Colour

International group
Alabama Shakes
Eagles of Death Metal
Major Lazer
Tame Impala
U2

As is traditional, the winner of the Critics’ Choice award has already been announced, with Jack Garratt beating out fellow singer-songwriters Izzy Bizu and Frances to the prize.

It is understood that this year’s ceremony will also include a special tribute to the late David Bowie, with BPI chief Geoff Taylor telling the BBC that “we’re still developing it, but we have some firm ideas and we’re involving the right people. We are very focused on honouring his legacy to British music.”